Manchester City have announced their intentions with a startling confidence early in the season, a sentiment voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season training. She remarked, "A true champion is someone who goes and wins again.
A winner might be a one‑off, but a champion repeats the feat over and over." This distinction between a fleeting winner and a sustained champion underpins the team’s mindset as they embark on a new campaign. Starting the league with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – provides tangible proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating mere success from lasting greatness.
Achieving champion status is not a single event; it is a continuous process that demands the team to back up early triumphs with consistent performances week after week. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally, a scenario that has not been seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions appear to be the benchmark for the rest of the division, taking the initiative in the early stages of the title race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners. Their dominance has already left their Manchester rivals, United, trailing in the dust.
Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in the way each individual component blends together to form a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: "We always find a way." In a conversation at the club’s training base, before the first ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her approach to the season would be framed differently this year.
She dismissed the notion that being title‑holders automatically grants any advantage, insisting that complacency has no place in their plans. "I needed a mental switch‑off," she said. "This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so fresh now.
I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I really enjoyed it." The offseason proved transformative for Greenwood not only on the pitch but also in her personal life. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a moment that almost slipped away when she tried to cancel the original dinner plans on the day of the proposal. "I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant.
He kept it cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing," she recalled with a smile. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, never truly able to switch off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad.
"I’m not the type of person who can turn everything off; I’m on most of the time. I reflect a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch.
But I’m lucky – the dressing‑room is close‑knit, an open environment where we can speak freely. I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions." Reflecting on last season brings back pleasant memories. City were the dominant force, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first league title in a decade.
The football they produced was more liberated and inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than feeling constrained by it. Reinvention occurred across the entire pitch, with each player and each match offering something new. Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, as City’s tactics evolved constantly, making them difficult to predict.
Even on days when the performance was modest, the team usually managed to secure the necessary result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained, "People ask me about pressure, and certain results created pressure moments last season.
We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control. That helps with preparation and everything else. We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net.
That’s what we do – we always find a way." City now possess a certain edge, a brand of grit that seemed missing in previous title pursuits despite coming close. The manager didn’t overhaul the squad; instead, he introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Greenwood noted that Jeglertz’s approach is "never being satisfied," an insatiable drive to improve every detail. "He’s very open to challenge," she added.
"He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other. It’s a very competitive league.
Teams have strengthened a lot this summer, and I love it. We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels us to stay that way. We also have huge respect for the level of opposition we face." Momentum is firmly on City’s side.
The squad has devised multiple solutions for most problems, and the days when their mental resilience was questioned after an isolated slip are now behind them. The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League games from her living room.
"Do you know how hard it is to watch those matches and not be involved?" These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season speculation. The questions now are: How will City handle the increased workload? Can they sustain a rhythm of three games per week? Does the squad have enough depth and quality to compete on all fronts?
"We weren’t there last year, and we have to use that feeling to our advantage. We cannot waste our opportunity," Greenwood asserted. After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now have all the ingredients: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training facility, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of WSL‑ready talent, a superb captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw – the PFA Player of the Year – already off to a flying start. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognised as champions, a status they intend to defend with relentless determination throughout the season.